Frame And Handle For Pressure Washer

Abstract

Systems and methods for a pressure washer or other system to transport and distribute liquid are provided with an improved frame and handle. The pressure washer system includes a frame, a container carried by the frame, a pump, a dispenser, and a handle connected to the frame. The handle is rotatable relative to the remainder of the pressure washer system from a use-based position in which the handle is upwardly oriented and can be pushed to move the pressure washer from one location to another, and a stowed position in which the handle is downwardly oriented such that the pressure washer system has reduced dimensions and can more easily be stored. For instance, an upper portion of the handle can be releasably secured to a lower portion of the handle associated with the frame. The upper portion of the handle can be rotated relative to the lower portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure washer system comprising:
 a frame;   a container carried by the frame configured to receive a volume of liquid;   a pump configured to pump the liquid from the container;   a dispenser attached to the container for distributing the liquid out of the container; and   a handle connected to the frame, the handle being movable relative to the frame between:
 a use-based position in which the handle is pushed to propel the pressure washer, wherein the handle has a first dimension in the use-based position; and 
 a stowed position in which the handle has a second dimension smaller than the first dimension when the handle is in the use-based position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pressure washer system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises:
 a lower handle section fixedly extending from the frame;   an upper rotating handle section rotatable relative to the lower handle section; and   a gripping handle section fixedly extending from the upper rotating handle section.   
     
     
         3 . The pressure washer system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper rotating handle section is releasably secured to the lower handle section by a quick clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure washer system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper rotating handle section is releasably secured to the lower handle section using a mounting shaft collar and a screw. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure washer system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a sleeve configured to receive an end of the upper rotating handle section;   a threaded device configured to be removably inserted into a plurality of openings formed in the sleeve, the upper rotating handle section and the lower handle section; and   a knob having an opening configured to receive a portion of the threaded device.   
     
     
         6 . The pressure washer system of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve further comprises at least one tab; and
 wherein the lower handle section further comprises at least one groove configured to receive the at least one tab.   
     
     
         7 . The pressure washer system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper rotating handle section rotates approximately 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the pressure washer when it is rotated relative to the lower handle section in order to move the handle from use-based position to the stowed position. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure washer system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper rotating handle section is substantially parallel to the ground when in the stowed position. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure washer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage caddy configured to receive one or more of a hose, a wand, and an accessory. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure washer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a shroud configured to be removably mounted to a portion of the pressure washer to surround a portion of the pressure washer. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure washer system of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure washer further comprises an adjustable pressure knob between the container and the dispenser, the adjustable pressure knob configured to only be rotated 360 degrees or less; and
 wherein the shroud further comprises at least one opening configured to receive the adjustable pressure knob when the shroud is mounted to the pressure washer.   
     
     
         12 . A method of using a pressure washer system comprising the steps of:
 filling a container with a volume of liquid;   moving the pressure washer system to a desired location by pushing a handle;   controlling flow of the liquid from the container;   pumping at least some of the volume of liquid from the container;   moving the pressure washer system to a storage area once use is complete; and   moving the handle to a stowed position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 propelling the pressure washer system when the handle is in a use-based position where it extends rearwardly from the pressure washer system; and   rotating the handle to the stowed position in which the dimensions of the pressure washer system are smaller than the dimensions of the pressure washer system when the handle is in the use-based position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 propelling the pressure washer system in a frontward direction when the handle is in the use-based position by pushing the handle toward the front of the pressure washer system; and   propelling the pressure washer system in the frontward direction when the handle is in the stowed position by pulling the handle toward the front of the pressure washer system.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 releasing an upper rotating handle section from releasable engagement with a lower handle section; and   rotating the upper rotating handle section relative to the lower handle section.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 disengaging a knob from a threaded device configured to releasably hold the upper rotating handle section in place relative to the lower handle section;   removing the threaded device from a plurality of openings formed in the upper rotating handle section and the lower handle section;   rotating the upper rotating handle section relative to the lower handle section; and   reengaging the knob and the threaded device to releasably hold the upper rotating handle section in place relative to the lower handle section.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 rotating a screw in a first direction to loosen a collar configured to releasably hold the upper rotating handle section in place relative to the lower handle section;   rotating the upper rotating handle section relative to the lower handle section; and   rotating the screw in a second direction to tighten the collar to releasably hold the upper rotating handle section in place relative to the lower handle section.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of rotating the upper rotating handle section approximately 180 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis extending through the pressure washer from the use-based position to the stowed position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 mounting a shroud to a front section of the pressure washer system to surround at least a portion of the front section; and   moving the adjustable pressure knob between:
 a first opened position in which the adjustable pressure knob is at a substantially 1 degree angle relative to the Y-axis in which the liquid is pumped from the container; 
 a second closed position in which the adjustable pressure knob is at a substantially 359 degree angle relative to the Y-axis in which the liquid remains within the container, and 
   a plurality of intermediate positions between the first opened position and the second closed position.   
     
     
         20 . A system configured to transport and distribute liquid comprising:
 a frame;   a container carried by the frame configured to receive a volume of liquid; and   a handle connected to the frame, the handle being movable relative to the frame between:   a use-based position in which the handle is upwardly oriented and pushed towards a front end of the frame to propel the pressure washer; and   a stowed position in which the handle is oriented substantially horizontally.